Trying to avoid a grocery run? We’ve got you covered with a few food substitution tips


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative


PHOTO CREDIT: Metro Creative

With many whipping up delicious concoctions in their home kitchens amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely that many also have encountered one or two instances when their pantry or cupboards didn’t have all of the essential ingredients that were needed for a recipe.

The struggle is real. But not to worry.

If you haven’t planned ahead, can’t get to the store or are trying to avoid going out, there are a variety of food substitutions that can help save the day in a pinch.

Happy baking!

Baking powder

Amount: 1 teaspoon.

Swap it for: ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, plus ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Baking soda

Amount: ¼ teaspoon.

Swap it for: 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

Barbecue sauce

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: ¾ cup of ketchup,

2 tablespoons of mustard and 2 tablespoons

of brown sugar.

Brown sugar

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of granulated sugar,

plus 2 tablespoons of molasses.

Butter, margarine or vegetable shortening

Amount: 1 cup (or 2 sticks).

Swap it for: 1 cup of vegetable or coconut oil; ¾ cup of apple sauce, apple butter or avocado, plus ¼ cup of solid fat; or 1 cup of mashed bananas.

Buttermilk or sour milk

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of plain yogurt;

or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar,

plus 1 cup of milk.

Cake flour

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of all-purpose flour,

plus 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

Chili sauce

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of ground cloves and allspice.

Coffee creamer

Amount: 1 tablespoon.

Swap it for: 1 tablespoon of dry milk,

plus 1 tablespoon of water.

Cornstarch

Amount: 1 tablespoon.

Swap it for: 2 tablespoons of flour,

or 2 tablespoons of tapioca pearls.

Cream of tartar

Amount: ¼ teaspoon.

Swap it for: ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.

Eggs

Amount: 1 egg.

Swap it for: 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise;

or 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed,

plus 3 tablespoons of water.

Egg yolks

Amount: 2 egg yolks.

Swap it for: 1 whole egg.

Granulated sugar

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of brown sugar; or 1¾ cups of powdered sugar.

Half-and-half

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: ½ cup of whole milk, plus ½ cup of heavy cream.

Heavy cream

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of whole milk, plus tablespoon of melted butter.

Honey

Amount: ½ cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of corn syrup; 1 cup of brown sugar; ½ cup of maple syrup; or ½ cup of molasses.

Ketchup

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, ½ cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

Lemon juice

Amount: 1 teaspoon.

Swap it for: ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.

Mayonnaise

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of sour cream; 1 cup of plain yogurt; or 1 cup of cottage cheese.

Milk

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: ½ cup of evaporated milk, plus ½ cup of water; or 1/3 cup of nonfat dry milk, plus a 7/8 cup of water.

Self-rising flour

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of all-purpose flour, plus 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Semi-sweet chocolate

Amount: 1 ounce.

Swap it for: 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate, plus 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Sour cream

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of plain yogurt.

Tomato juice

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1½ cups of tomato sauce, plus ½ cup of water.

Tomato soup

Amount: 1 can.

Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, plus ¼ cup of water.

Unsweetened chocolate

Amount: 1 ounce.

Swap it for: 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, plus 1 tablespoon of butter, margarine or vegetable shortening; or 1 ounce of semi-sweet chocolate, minus 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Vanilla extract

Amount: 1 teaspoon.

Swap it for: 1 teaspoon bourbon or rum.

Vegetable oil

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of canola oil, olive oil, or grape seed oil.

Whole milk

Amount: 1 cup.

Swap it for: 1 cup of skim or low-fat milk, plus two tablespoons of melted butter.

Wine (red)

Amount: Any.

Swap it for: The same amount of grape or cranberry juice.

Wine (white)

Amount: Any.

Swap it for: The same amount of apple of white grape juice.

Sources: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, bettycrocker.com and foodnetwork.com.

Megan Gloss is the Features Editor for the Telegraph Herald.

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